The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1887-04-09


all the me just because I'm boy.
It's too mean"
$50 ahead, then. You're pretty
smart, jim Rowell, but tell you it
don't do no Teller good to be too
smart; mebbe you'll find it out some
day."
The second chase proved no more
successful than the first. Cunning Old
Abe put in his "best licks' for their
enlightenment, and when they gave it
up still seemed unwearied. Tom
sprang from his horse to do the honors
of his residence.
"Light, gentlemen, light and make
yourselves at home. Things is little
out of order, consequent on the missus
not having got back from Saratogy,
but you'll find the mornin' papers in
the iib'ry. The key of the pianer's on
the bureau in my dressin' room. Eff
YOU like, take turns in admirin' the
scenery, the long shadders of the chick
ems fallin' to the BASTARD, an the
kingly rooster as he glides forth from
the barn"
The mansion whose hospitality was
offered in this grandiloquent style was
an extremely scaly-looking dug-out,
probably measuring tea by twelve feet.
Outside inspection revealed one
small door and window, variegated
supply of oyster-cans. barrels, and not
few empty bottles-which last, how
ever, were modestly disposed in the
background. A broom kad been placed
| outside, as if for display, but donkey
at distance was soiemnly making a
meal of it. A small Hook of emaciated
chickens gathered expectantly in vain,
for Tom had the masculine habit OF
neglecting his chickens. Two thrifty
looking objects redeemed the appear
ance of his ranches-a fine barn and a
corral with high stone walls. Yet he
was lord of many herds, who might
drive in his carriage if he pleased.
Without further study of this bache
, lor's hall, we will follow the herders a,
! they make for the well, tired, thirsty
, yet good-natmed-all but Jake, who
finds Jim dealing out water with tir
r cup, the only one at hand. His scow
deepened trife with impotence.
. Here. AL said jim, looking from
J Jake to Thompson, who stood bes.d,
him, "age before beauty"
| The an swering smiles stung the Dor
5 der vagabond. Snatching the cup ant
Q flinging the contents full in Jim's face
. Clear yourself, you young scamp!'
e he ordered.
Flushing savagely the boy caugh
:. something from his side, but Thomp
h sons powerful hand was on his arm.
: "What do you mean, you little fool?'
Y he cried "Was this what you cam
g here forP\ Jes' you ride home a
: fast ez you kin CO." he added, takini
f him aside, ran for God'sAsa&e dom
D tell"
g "Ef it had been any one but Jimmy,
" soliloquized the goodshumored fellow
II rs he went back to his TSfnpanions, 4"
e shouldn' have cared. Jake amt yer
II pretty, anyhow, an Ireckou he'd max
d Il better lookin' angel than any thin
o else"
5, jim, meantime, mounted and rod
a off without looking back. Angry teal
e. forced themselves to his eyes as h
pressed on, taking no note of the roa
m until DccembeS sunset flames burne
5 out along the horizon. The sudde
twilight warned him to seek some she
&c ter for the night, which had alread
10 promised to be colder than usual II
rode up a deep Sulch, dismountet
Ks fastened his pony, and made brus
es fire, luckily finding few matches
he his pocket. Then he leaned again
~ the bank and thought over the day
a events. Fiery thoughts he had, unit
d, another idea made its entrance into h
10 brain, cooling them off a little.
IN "What right had you there at ALI
I'D lUSluudJtu COllSCltuCC, VI MHdlCNtI L
gs Elective faculty takes her place in
o; boys mind. Had he not started ont
find poor little Kitty, who was no.
sh perhaps through his fault, lying st
and cold somewhere on the broad pr;
~ RE? Jim liked Kitty Nichols. su
on pose any rough but kind-hearted b,
m would have liked such a pretty, blu
eyed mite, when she came running
NO meet him with unfailing delight. II
t, folks were neighbors and she W
their only little girl. His heart !
* preached him for having left her to h
lis fate.
at 80, well, they've surely found h
nv by this time" he reasoned measil
We then, heaping up the fire, fell asleep.
Ii He awoke shiyering with more tn
1t cold. He thought that, finding Kit
h. asleep, he had called her to rise a
elf come home, when a lean, gray W
up bounded upon her He seized it by